Flagpole Sitta
The Oklahoma band was started in 1999 by lead vocalist and bass guitarist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist, Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist Mike Kennerty, and drummer Chris Gaylor. Originally recorded by Harvey Danger in 1998, the band reunited for this cover version which was featured in the Netflix Australian TV series, 'Apple Cider Vinegar'
My Blood
Full-on wonderfullness from our Reading chums, who slate their fourth album for release in May 2025
Infinity Peaking
Ryan Smith's Kingston-upon-Hull quartet have changed gear for this impressive album
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Optimystic
San Francisco's Benjamin Lev Kweller was a 2XS favourite some years ago. Good to hear he's back!
Roll
Pronounced 'kiodo-supply', this interesting album is the debut by the San Diego singer-songwriter, Damien Chiodo, now based in Puerto Rico. A significant part of the U.S. underground scene, he was first important as the manic frontman of 'Model Citizen'. This is very different!
A Fragile Thing
The fourteenth album by Robert Smith's indies sees them return 16 years after '4:13 Dream', and Crawley's finest get huge critical acclaim once again
Born With A Broken Heart
Rome's Damiano David is also the frontman of the band Maneskin
Delete Ya
This single is from the third album by Massachusetts' Joe Keery, released on 4 April 2025. Keery is an actor from the Netflix TV series 'Stranger Things'
Broken
Bogota's Gabriela Jimeno Caldas was a hard rock drummer from 12 to 18, when she left for the USA. This is her second album, with songs co-composed with Katie O'Neill
Broken Biscuits
Fronted by Lily Fontaine, the Leeds four-piece graduate band had a huge 2024 thanks to a fine debut album which contained this anti-Tory song
Peace Song
The London post-punksters are led by Joe Love (ld gtr) with Jazz (vcls, kybds), Will (synth), Johnny (drms), Ben (bass), occasionally joined by sax player, Morgan. They describe what they do as 'music to grow your hairline back to'. This single release follows 2024's album, 'Woof'
Number One
The Coventry band's George Haverson says of this song that 'we present this destination as the first of an expanding journey towards our prized third album'
Volumes Of Silence
A rather wonderful chunk of indie-rock from Manchester's Ol (gtr ,kybds, vcls), Al (gtrs, vcls), Birch (vcls), Ez (gtrs,vcls) and Rob (vcls, words & prod) - plus some guests. A good example of one of those new songs you think you've known for years. This could even be from the acclaimed 1966 'Nuggest' compilation! Nice keys, too
It's Amazing To Be Young
Following their 4th album 'Romance' in 2024, the Dublin quintet release this rather fine anthemic 7-inch vinyl single
Build It Up
Glasgow's FF release their sixth studio album
Ripple
Songwriters Oli Fox and Scott Verrill say they were 'born out of small towns and spare time'
Dud
Gum is Freemantle (Western Australia)'s Ambrose Kenny Smith and Jay Watson
This Side Of The Island
Washington, DC's James Hamilton Leithauser is best known as lead vocalist with The Walkmen. After a reunion tour, they failed to reunite, but Leithauser now releases this solo song 'about disillusionment, acceptance, and resolve'
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Goodbye Drama Queen
This is the second collaboration between David McAlmont and our favourite Soup Dragon, Sean Dickson. It follows their 2023 debut, 'Happy Ending'
More Than Life
The alt-rock band was formed in Southend-on-Sea in 2005 by Faris Badwan (ld vcls), Joshua Hayward (gtr), Tom Furse (kybds), Rhys Webb (drms), Joe Spurgeon (drms). This is their sixth album
She's Got A Problem
Tallulah Sim-Savage's Brit-pop vocals lead the Hastings band's sound, with some nice synth, guitar and drum work. After five years, this is their debut album
Guy Fawkes Tesco Dissociation
Manchester's Jasmine Cruickshank is transgender. Of course she is
Sidewinder
With nods to Lee Hazlewood and Duane Eddy, the Portland (Oregon, USA) band cross from indie-rock to country. Sort of Dolly on steroids
New Day Rising
The L.A. muso tells us this "is a song about being the change you wish to see in the world"
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Let Go Of The Ego
A massively feel-good track by the duo of Andy Lewis (Syphons, Paul Weller Band) and Hugh Brooker (Night Trains, Humble Souls). It's their third single, which they describe as 'a timely comment on the fools we put in charge'
Nothing Would Change
The L.A. power-pop are half Asian, half Latina and comprise two sisters, a cousin, and a close friend, Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, Lucia De La Garza, and Mila De La Garza. This is their second album
It May Not Be Your Friday Night
The West Midlands late teens power trio have been carving out a name for themselves with their catchy 1970s-infused classic rock. This features Ash Sheen (The Twang) on trumpets, bringing a nice fusion of brass to the procedings
Cry For Me
The Miami alt-po duo are Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin. This is their second album and they're now based in L.A.
Brushstrokes Of Reunion
The Manics formed in Blackwood, Wales, in the late 1980s: James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire (Jones), Sean Moore and Richey Edwards. Edwards has been missing presumed dead since 1995 and the remaining members have continued as a trio. This is their fifteenth studo album
Squid Ink
The Louisville, Kentucky, alt-rockers started out in 1998. They are led by singer-songwriter & guitarist, Jim James
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Doing Something
Recording in London and Brooklyn, Andrew Price impressively reinvents distorted guitar rock. Well timed, too, as we head towards the third generation (mid-60s, 90s, 20s)
It's A Mirror
Superbly touching music by Seattle-based solo artist Mike Hadreas. Production is by Blake Mills, and check out the video by Cody Critcheloe
Reckless
Fed up with the world? Feel drowned in social media and fakery? Overloaded with content? The Birmingham alt-rockers sing here about 'about letting go and letting loose'. Sorted
The Centre Cannot Hold
This is the twelfth album by Bobby Gillespie's Glasgow minstrels, and their first in eight years
Again And Again
Led by frontman Maxim Baldry, the London indie-rockers' second EP is damn fine effort
Bright Eyes
Bring on the sixth album by the Stockholm rockers, who've been at it since 2010
Avalon
Our Glasgow chums continue to impress
Love, If You Want It
The highly talented production foursome are based in Glasgow and recorded this in frontman Thom's Airdrie studio
Uno II
The Stockholm post-punk band was formed in 2015 with members coming from several other bands including Les Big Byrd. This is their fourth album
God Save The Queens
'... and everything in between'. Bring on 'glimmer rock' by GSTQ! Oh no, not another bl00dy acronym to remember...?!